Power Banks
Mar 10, 2024 15:15:09 #
Hello all. My wife and I are taking a 2 week trip to the Falklands in November. We will be staying for at least 4 days in remote cabins with no A/C. How to charge cameras and devices? Why a power bank was made just for this purpose, right? I’ve spent the better part of the last 2 weeks researching these devices. There are a lot to choose from, and when I think I’ve found just the item, I read the negative reviews. Don’t last, customer service non existent, not actually delivering the promised watts, and on and on.
Then I thought, wouldn’t it be nice if the battery we had in our camera could be used to power another device. I have lots of camera batteries, but alas, Nikon apparently didn’t think of that.
Would appreciate any first hand experience any of you may have with this conundrum.
Thanks,
CM
Then I thought, wouldn’t it be nice if the battery we had in our camera could be used to power another device. I have lots of camera batteries, but alas, Nikon apparently didn’t think of that.
Would appreciate any first hand experience any of you may have with this conundrum.
Thanks,
CM
Mar 10, 2024 15:56:15 #
Purchase a hybrid powerbank that will renew its own charge with the incorporated solar cells.
I have two styles, one for long trips and one for 'casual use'. Both are hybrids.
The con on these batteries is the time needed to (re)charge them. I use a universal charger 240W that reduces the time of charging to a couple of hours. Note that this charger can power laptops. I use it with my XPS17 Dell laptop.
To add flexibility, depending on your camera, purchase a couple of new camera batteries that are USB-C (P)
Powerbank:
- Casual use
- Heavy duty Updated from my model, the solar panels are multiples.
All this must be connected with the correct USB-C (P) cable. I use this.
The 240W adapter is relatively new (a few months ago) so I have no reliability report. On the other hand, the battery packs are over two years old. I never had a single issue. The USB-C camera batteries are relatively new. I posted a thread on that in October. I just updated it a few days ago.
I have two styles, one for long trips and one for 'casual use'. Both are hybrids.
The con on these batteries is the time needed to (re)charge them. I use a universal charger 240W that reduces the time of charging to a couple of hours. Note that this charger can power laptops. I use it with my XPS17 Dell laptop.
To add flexibility, depending on your camera, purchase a couple of new camera batteries that are USB-C (P)
Powerbank:
- Casual use
- Heavy duty Updated from my model, the solar panels are multiples.
All this must be connected with the correct USB-C (P) cable. I use this.
The 240W adapter is relatively new (a few months ago) so I have no reliability report. On the other hand, the battery packs are over two years old. I never had a single issue. The USB-C camera batteries are relatively new. I posted a thread on that in October. I just updated it a few days ago.
Mar 10, 2024 17:48:48 #
wdross
Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado
capmike wrote:
Hello all. My wife and I are taking a 2 week trip ... (show quote)
Take a solar charger. There are any number of them with different outputs. Just a suggestion.
Mar 10, 2024 19:02:54 #
I have a couple of power banks, one I keep in my briefcase while the other is kept in my car. The one in the briefcase is a conventional one which you recharge using a USB cable from any power source. It's adequate for charging my iPhone as well as my camera (which allows me to charge its battery while in the camera via the micro-USB port). The capacity of this power bank is 13,000 mAh, and charges in a couple of hours.
The other one, which I keep in my car, while it can be charged via a USB cable, you can also use the built-in hand-crank so you don't have to depend on having access to a wired power source to recharge it. Granted, it's sort of my back-up emergency power bank. Note that it has about the same capacity as my primary unit, but it's larger so it fits better in my car rather then my briefcase.
The other one, which I keep in my car, while it can be charged via a USB cable, you can also use the built-in hand-crank so you don't have to depend on having access to a wired power source to recharge it. Granted, it's sort of my back-up emergency power bank. Note that it has about the same capacity as my primary unit, but it's larger so it fits better in my car rather then my briefcase.
Mar 10, 2024 19:13:31 #
Thanks. Would you mind giving these devices brands and models? How long have you had them?
Thanks,
Mike
Thanks,
Mike
Mar 10, 2024 19:47:49 #
The power bank that I keep in my briefcase is from GETIHU, model BG-110. As for the one in my car, I'll have to get back to you on that.
I've had both units for several years, and have had no issues with either one.
I've had both units for several years, and have had no issues with either one.
Mar 10, 2024 19:55:07 #
The unit that I keep in my car, the one you can hand crank, that's made by ETON and mine is their BoostTurbine2000 model. However, I'm sorry but I didn't quite get the capacity correct, it's only 2,000 mAh, but it's still adequate for charging cell phones and cameras.
Mar 11, 2024 00:43:10 #
Don W-37
Loc: Bangkok, Thailand
capmike wrote:
Hello all. My wife and I are taking a 2 week trip ... (show quote)
Good info. Looks great, but it's 43,800 mAh. Didn't I read some airlines won't allow batteries larger than 10,000 mAh?? If so, this would be great for road trips, but might not pass muster with certain airlines.
Anyone know for sure?
Thanks, Don
Mar 11, 2024 05:58:30 #
Don W-37 wrote:
Good info. Looks great, but it's 43,800 mAh. Didn't I read some airlines won't allow batteries larger than 10,000 mAh?? If so, this would be great for road trips, but might not pass muster with certain airlines.
Anyone know for sure?
Thanks, Don
Anyone know for sure?
Thanks, Don
The rule is 100Wh so if the battery voltage is 10V then it's can'be more than 10,000mAh but if the voltage is 5V then it can be up to 20,000mAh. Still the 43,800mAh would be too big.
Mar 11, 2024 06:42:45 #
Mar 11, 2024 08:52:16 #
Perhaps a dumb question, You are sure they mean no AC power and not no air conditioning?
Between penguins, and orcas hunting penguins, I went through nearly 3 batteries in one rare sunny day (Sony A1, A7RIII). Also got sunburned.
I’d agree with Don on the battery limit, I’ve lost a couple to security for being over 10..
Enjoy, I’d go back tomorrow.
Between penguins, and orcas hunting penguins, I went through nearly 3 batteries in one rare sunny day (Sony A1, A7RIII). Also got sunburned.
I’d agree with Don on the battery limit, I’ve lost a couple to security for being over 10..
Enjoy, I’d go back tomorrow.
Mar 11, 2024 09:10:03 #
Be sure to take a power plug prong adapter for the wall outlets in the Falklands. Also, the power supply there is 240 volts, which is usually useable by today's power supply devices.
Mar 11, 2024 09:37:07 #
Mar 11, 2024 09:53:41 #
StanMac
Loc: Tennessee
Sounds like a situation for getting back to basics. With no power, many basic daily activities will be affected - no cooking, no electric lighting, no TV. If I had no way to recharge my camera batteries, I’d stock up on extras sufficient for the duration and make sure all are charged before leaving the ship (or your jump off point). Or, I’d put together a kit of a film camera and several extra rolls of film as a backup.
Stan
Stan
Mar 11, 2024 10:01:59 #
capmike wrote:
Hello all. My wife and I are taking a 2 week trip to the Falklands in November. . .How to charge cameras and devices? . . .
On this planet it is hard to be far from a car or truck that doesn’t have a huge battery. Gas or diesel powered, or electric cars. They all have 12 volt circuits.
Car adapters are equally plentiful. Usually they involve plugging into a cigarette-lighter-style outlet. Others allow you to connect directly to battery terminals.
If you only have a wall charger for camera or computer, you can get a small inverter which converts 12 volts DC power from a car (Or truck) to 120 Volts AC. Connect this and just plug in your existing charger. You can find small inverters that pump out about 100 watts for under $30.
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